It was pretty clear last year that the style of rugby Robbie Deans had the Wallabies playing didn’t work. So the big question is: will he be changing it in 2012?
Can Deans please let us know what style we’ll be playing? It’s not clear to Wallabies fans, but it needs to be known.
Looking at the players that Deans will have available, there is every reason to believe that he should take the team down a more attacking route, especially if the mercurial Kurtley Beale is selected at 10.
However, given his track record, this is probably wishful thinking.
Instead, Deans may use the first few Tests of the season to play safe and get his post-Quade combinations in place. And it’s fair to say that the cupboard in some positions is looking a little bare.
Looking at the backs, obviously Genia will be the halfback, even though he had a reasonably slow start to the Super Rugby season. He seems be to be hitting form at the right time.
But a few players are hot on his heels.
Outside of Genia, Deans may look at both O’Connor and Cooper. But really, why rush Quade when you have Beale more than capable of playing 10? He’s a great player.
But will Deans pick a player who can make anything happen?
And, as I’ve said a few times before, O’Connor is not a ten. He should never be picked there. He is a winger or a fullback. He needs room to operate in, rather than have to create space for those around him.
He can’t kick under pressure and he looks for work. Maybe we can see brand O’Connor at full-flight this season.
In the centres, Pat McCabe is not the answer. He cannot pass the ball. But then again, that may well suit the style of rugby that Deans want to play. Bash and crash, with very little flair and skill.
Deans needs to understand that Australian rugby is not All Black rugby. He has lost three years trying to play defensive rugby. Maybe he had no idea about the way we play.
If that’s the case, then he could well go with McCabe.
What we really need is a 13 who can create some space for Digby, who is a dynamic runner of the ball and he needs to get it more often.
That would shift Adam Ashley Cooper back to fullback, which is his best position.
If Drew Mitchell was fit and healthy, he’d be a certainty on the other wing. In his absence, there aren’t many decent alternatives.
Perhaps Rob Horne will get a go at 12, even though he is also not a creator. And of course, Mortlock is also back in the mix.
Barnes is the other option. He will fit in nicely, and he had a strong adviser in the great Tim Horan.
But it hardly looks like a backline that will worry the All Blacks or the Springboks, both of whom seem to be bursting with talent and depth.
I do think, though, that there are some good Australian forwards going around: Moore, Robinson, Hardy, and Slipper, who still has a way to go.
Higginbottom is playing well. He is a very good player. And Pocock’s one of the best.
The Wallabies could be competitive up front and lay a solid platform for the backs, which we have lacked over the years.
But I hope it’s not going to be a defensive game plan from Deans, like our Rugby World Cup campaign last year.
What a mess.
The other problem the team faces is the lack of depth. We really want players to put pressure on players for their position in the squad. At the moment, that’s just not the case.
And the Wallabies need to play as a team.
Last season, there were too many individuals and not enough unity. I’ve heard rumblings within the team that some of the players aren’t happy with Deans’ approach.
Deans has two years to go as Wallabies coach. Can he see the light and play our style of rugby?
The first Test of the season will be most interesting to watch and hopefully we can find the next star of Australian rugby.
Cameron
Guest
I think giving Andrew smith a go at 13 would be great he is a big strong runner. He played great against the south African teams. And was much better than the all backs c.smith on the weekend
Ben S
Roar Guru
'As for Deans, in his three years you are finally getting some degree of dominance over Northern Hemisphere sides.' The reverse is actually true though. 'He had very little to start with after the mass exodus after 2007 and has done wonders with what he had to work with.' There was no mass exodus after the 2007 WC.
jeznez
Guest
MYOB, I believe it is the full 8 but yes the tight 5 have th biggest influence. I'm not sure who will partner Horwill yet, I think you can add Sitaleki Timani, Luke Jones and Toby Lynn to the list along with those youv'e named and the incumbent Simmons. However these are all young guys and none of them has shown the complete package yet. Couple of games left before we have to decide - I will be watching the locks with great interest from here on out.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
"Deans needs to understand that Australian rugby is not All Black rugby. He has lost three years trying to play defensive rugby. Maybe he had no idea about the way we play." Interesting comment. Rugby is an evolving game and you evolve or you fall behind the pack. Maybe you are the one that needs to stop living in glory days of the 90's Campo. The rules have changed and development in the game has seen it change vastly from what it was in the 90's. As for Deans, in his three years you are finally getting some degree of dominance over Northern Hemisphere sides. You have had the wood on South Africa as well. New Zealand has been a struggle but some good inroad happened in the last 12 months in regards to them. He had very little to start with after the mass exodus after 2007 and has done wonders with what he had to work with. The flair is there. Do you not give him any coaching credit for the massacre done on the French in 2010. But having a bunch of flashy backs does not win you rugby matches. You need the forwards and the defensive structures and this is what Deans is bringing to the table.
Zulu
Guest
Not sure about that, he's sorting the wheat from the chaff. I bet he's tapped a few ex employed Tahs as well while scratching his head behind the scenes - be interesting in the make up one would think.
Zulu
Guest
Not sure about that, he's sorting the wheat from the chaff. I bet he's tapped a few ex employed Tahs as well while scratching his head behind the scenes - be interesting in the make up one would think.
Zulu
Guest
I Pad annoys me a lot, Sorry Mr Faingaii, probably spelt it wrong again :-)
MYOB
Guest
@ Jezenz good summary of our scrums but its alot more than just the props, we also need hardcore locks (sounds like a porn movie)......lol, we need strong pushing locks in the scrums/mauls yet athletic in the lineouts and fit enough to run around the paddock for the entire 80mins, the scrum is a 5men machine, if they are that good then the pressure will be off of our looseforwards esp the #8, Horwill will be selected and i think we have other good options in Douglass, Pyle, Neville, Carter and Fardy.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Comment of the month. A * sticker to Jerry.
Chris
Guest
Good news, Quade Cooper is back for the Reds. The Brumbies just topped the conference. Jake's men are going to show the Reds that powder-puff rugby doesn't work anymore.
Tim
Guest
Deans has been very disappointing since taking over. He has treated the Wallabies jersey with disrespect by handing them out to about anyone, especially when we lost to Manu Samoa last year. It seems as if deans is coaching the Wallabies like a provincial side which will never work. Campo is right in a lot of his assesments about Deans, especially not grasping how to coach an Australia side properly or with a clear style of play. I remember seeing an interview with Deans once where he talked about how he left the players alone 30 mins before the match, this to me was extremely worrying that he would not be addressing the players within half an hour of a game and not be re-enforcing his plan or the style he wanted to play. The only good thing Deans has done in is time as coach, is telling Matt Giteau he is dropped. He killed our chances at the World Cup but continuing to stick with Pat 'I try hard' McCabe at inside centre. This killed Quade Cooper and made him take on to much responsibility, if he had Berrick Barnes outside of him, it would of been a whole different story which there would of been no unpatriotic Australians who bagging the sh#t out of Cooper. The other way he killed our chances was by thinking that any one could play '7', I am a massive Ben Mccallmun fan but what Robbie Deans did to him was like using him as cannon fodder. This just shows you Deans' lack of international coaching experience and reiterates that he is a provincial coach and not an international coach. As much as I am not a massive Beau Robinson fan he should of went to the World Cup. Anyone with decent coaching experience could have done what Deans has done with the Wallabies over the last 5 years. I would even go as far to say Richard Graham or Michael Foley could of matched Deans' record, at least with Graham we would no that they would play boring football and with Foley they would kick it all the time and then every 3-4 matches run the ball. With Deans you never know what Wallaby team will turn up and you will always know that the team will never be inspired because they will just sit around and twiddle their thumbs for 30 minutes before running out onto the field.
Zulu
Guest
1. Robinson 2. Moore 3. Blake 4. Sharpe 5. Horwill 6. Higginbotham 7. Pocock 8. Elsom 9. Genia 10. Beale 11. Ionie 12. Harris 13. Fair gas 14. Shipperley 15. Morahan 16. O'Connor 17. White 18. Pyle 19. Slipper 20. Hanson 21. Dennis 22. Ashley Cooper Best at the moment IMHO. If it's good enough for Mr O'Driscoll to have Rocky at the back of the scrum, it's good enough for me. Everyone's being a bit harsh with Mr Deans, he's done a cracker of a job and I hope he get's a crack at the next World Cup.
Jock M
Guest
Sam, Spot on once again. The current laws do not allow for different styles. Rugby has lost its soul. It is a pity that Campo and others do not understand why things are so different. Rugby League players would find today's Rugby more familiar to play than I as someone who played in the seventies. I think that today's game would be an absolute bore to play.The breakdown laws have stifled the freedom which produced the exhiliation of old.
Justin2
Guest
Very logical post Ben. Not everyone will agree with your end decisions but the principles you have used are fair and reasonable.
Ben Z
Guest
People talk about Beale's inability to perform for the Waratahs at 10 despite the two excellent efforts he has put in for Melbourne this year. People on this site tend to cite events years ago as reasons a player shouldn't be selected today. Talking about how Beale played number 10 in 2008 is irrelevant. Talking about how Beale played 10 last year with a backline that NO 10 was able to make work is irrelevant. Talking about the fact that the Rebel's have played their two best matches of the season with Beale at 10 last weekend is relevant. I understand that moving him from fullback is a risk in terms of the fullback position however I do not see it as a position shift for Beale himself. He grew up playing number ten all the way through juniors. Also having watched Beale in both Rebel's matches he has not looked like a player moved to a new position but instead somebody who has never played anywhere else. As for any questions over Beale's strength, they can be answered by going and re-watching the Rebel's matches. There are several instances where Beale is caught upright by far larger players and out wrestles them. Please remember that the Rebel's back line is not attacking gold either. 9. Phipps 10. Beale 11. Vuna 12. Lachie Mitchell 13. Inman 14. Gerrard 15. Kingi and 9. Phipps 10. beale 11. Vuna 12.Lachie Mitchell 13. Inman 14. Mark Gerrard 15. Julian Huxley Phipps played well (bit of an understatement) and Kurtley's ability to play well is largely due to somewhat reliable service. Vuna is a machine with the ball in hand but questionable at most other times (WHAT WAS HE DOING JOGGING BACK TO THAT KICK) Mitchell is small, reliable and a great team player but no superstar Inman is an absolute monster, invaluable in defense he seemed to play mainly as a crash and bash at 13. It would be interesting to see what the Rebel's can do about getting defenders in two minds about Inman. Running switches or dummies or anything that has a defender only half committed to bringing him down. Gerrard looks right at home in the heart of AFL with his kicking game. Vital cog in defense and solid in attack yet seems to lack that zing. Kingi... can step. I have to admit I didn't watch him alot without the ball but when he did have it he impressed. In fact he may have found a new home at fullback (as opposed to halfback) Julian Huxley is a great comeback story and I would love him to be brilliant. But imho he isn't. As for 'the super sub' well i can't help but laugh every time I see him running with the ball. No offense to a great player but its fair to say he has lost some pace. Beale has brought the back line together sublimely. How people can still be suggesting that JOC is a better Wallaby ten is beyond me when I can't see him peeling the jersey off Beale's back at super level. JOC also had the added advantage of Beale working outside him. Imagine when we get to see Beale at 10 and JOC at 12. As for Campo's repeated notion that JOC isn't a ten or twelve. He may not have the position down pat yet, but neither did Nonu the year before last and while I think its an unfair comparison to make, I believe that given time JOC could make the same considerable improvements. I once had the pleasure of speaking to one of JOC's early league coaches however briefly in 2010 and he was quite adamant that JOC was born to play closer to the halves pairing. I'm not sure that he is a fullback, it must be given that it is a long time since I saw him play there and it may be that he could now be considered an excellent fullback if we saw him play there.
Brett McKay
Expert
yeah, fair call in hindsight..
Shungmao
Guest
Brett , purposely left a player out, can of worms I wasn't up for this morning.....
jeznez
Roar Guru
Tommygun, it is a KPM staple. I suspect that like myself 99% of rugby union fans in Oz would agree with your comment that exclusivity of the pool is the issue. If you jump across to a couple of the other threads on 7s today you'll see a lot of blokes looking to spread the game outside of the traditional private schools via 7s programs and trying to break that barrier down.
Justin2
Guest
TPN is heading that way. How the doctors let him back on against the Brumbies was CRIMINAL...
Justin2
Guest
;)